Beauty abounds and is in full bloom in this not-so-distant drive to the country where you will find a secret garden.

Hollister House Garden is located on Nettleton Hollow Road in Washington, Connecticut, and was started 40 years ago by George Schoellkopf.

Schoelkopf bought the house and the land and decided, following a trip from England, that he wanted to build the American interpretation of an English garden.

“The planting is very American and it’s very exuberant,” Executive Director of Hollister House Garden Pamela Moffett says.

"The garden changes all of the time. every two weeks you will see something new. Peonies will be out, the dahlias follow after, so there’s always something new to see," she says.

The rooms inside the garden are what make children love the attraction. Moffett says it's because they enjoy going from room to room, and they feel like they are in a secret garden.

There is also a little doorway, and a wall that children adore. "They love the water features and it can be a magical place for children," Moffett says.0

"People have really appreciated the ability to get away and to be in someplace that’s beautiful and quiet. This is a wonderful garden to come and look at the different plants that are here and get ideas for your own gardens."